Stronger Together:

Forging Strategic Partnerships to Create Lasting Impact

In one of the most powerful episodes of one of my all time favorite shows, The West Wing, Leo McGarry (with the words of the incomparable Aaron Sorkin and the talent of the late, great John Spencer) delivers a monologue that sums up the power of a great partnership.

This guy’s walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can’t get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, “Hey you, can you help me out?” The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up, “Father, I’m down in this hole, can you help me out?” The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. “Hey Joe, it’s me, can you help me out?” And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, “Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.” The friend says, “Yeah, but I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out.” [Pause] Long as I got a job, you got a job, you understand?

- Leo McGarry

What a Strategic Partnership Is Not

A strategic partnership is not the same as a corporate sponsorship. While corporate sponsorships are vital for funding, they’re usually transactional: You provide money in exchange for visibility—your logo on promotional materials, cause marketing opportunities, and access to exclusive events. While these benefits are valuable, they’re typically short-term and tied to a specific event or initiative. A strategic partnership, however, goes beyond the financial exchange. It’s about finding a true ally who shares your values and works together toward mutual success. It’s like the Doctor and Priest in the story: They offer a solution, but they move on. What you really want is a partner who will jump into the hole with you, helping you navigate the challenges and build something bigger over time.

Recipe for an Effective Strategic Partnership

Ingredients:

1 part shared values and
1 part aligned mission
2 cups of trust and respect
1/2 cup of open communication
1 tablespoon of flexibility and adaptability
A heaping cup of mutual benefit
A pinch of shared resources
A dash of innovative collaboration
A sprinkle of long-term commitment (optional, but highly recommended)

Instructions:

First, identify your shared values and aligned mission. Then, we’ll prioritize potential partners based on these commonalities through a Partnership Matrix.
Combine your mutual benefit and shared resources—each partner must bring value to the table for a balanced exchange.
Trust is essential. Stir in respect for each other's expertise and a commitment to open, transparent communication to keep everyone on the same page.
Season with adaptability—add a generous portion of flexibility for changes and unforeseen challenges. Fold in creative solutions to keep things fresh and innovative.
Let the partnership simmer for long-term impact, not just short-term wins. Sustainable success comes from deep, ongoing collaboration.

Serving Suggestions:

This partnership recipe yields lasting, meaningful impact. The right mix can lead to a high-profile launch, creating visibility and amplifying your mission. Expect unexpected innovation as partners bring fresh ideas to the table, resulting in creative collaborations that neither could have achieved alone. With a strength-in-numbers approach, the power of these partnerships often allows you to achieve more with fewer resources, maximizing your impact. As the partnership matures, it transforms into a sustainable relationship, offering long-term benefits and a solid foundation for future growth.

How We Make it Happen Together

Identify Potential Partners

Together, we’ll identify your organization’s values, explore your mission, and discuss what would make a good partner for you. Then, I’ll put together a Partnership Matrix to help us prioritize which potential partners we should focus our efforts on engaging.
Outreach Strategy & Plan

We’ll create a plan tailored for your organization to help make these connections, including who are our mutual contacts with the partner, what is the best method for reaching out, and who is the appropriate messenger for the organization.
Launching the Partnership & Ongoing Support

A good matchmaker helps you connect, offers guidance and support, but stays out of the bedroom! Often times there can be a lack of understanding between businesses in different sectors. I will help you navigate the partnership in a way that works for all parties, and keep everyone focused on the mission and mutual benefit.

I’ve Done It Before. We Can Do It Again.

Leica Geosystems + Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

The Leica Geosystems partnership provided the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation with detailed digital renderings of Taliesin West for the first time, aiding preservation efforts. Leica, in turn, received proof of concept for their BLK360 technology at one of the world’s most important architectural sites. Both organizations benefited from a global press launch and the ability to offer a virtual tour, allowing people worldwide to experience Taliesin West.
Spoke Art + Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

Through the collaboration with Spoke Art, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation reached a younger, more diverse audience with the “Frank Lloyd Wright: Timeless” exhibit. Spoke Art benefited by tapping into Frank Lloyd Wright’s passionate fan base, while also introducing their art-focused audience to a new cultural segment. The result was strong sales, critical acclaim, and a partnership that brought new attention to Wright’s legacy from multiple audiences.
Amangiri + Heard Museum

The Heard Museum and Amangiri partnered to bring Native American art to Amangiri’s exclusive resort, providing both a cultural enrichment experience for guests and increased exposure for the Museum’s collection. Amangiri gained prestige by offering museum-quality art in their gallery, while the Heard Museum gained access to a high net worth audience with an interest in Native culture, highlighting the power of cross-sector collaboration.
Wright Virtual Visits: A Nationwide Collaboration of Wright Sites

In response to the Covid-19 shutdown, we launched Wright Virtual Visits, a weekly series of live interactive videos, in partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, and Wright sites across the U.S. The initiative allowed audiences to explore Wright’s work from home, receiving widespread attention from Architectural Digest, CNN, and others. The success of the collaboration earned us the Wright Spirit Award, and the series continues to engage and inspire today.
Expect More Arizona + 24 Arts & Culture Organizations

Expect More Arizona’s “Today in AZ” campaign helped 24 arts & culture organizations across the state engage families with customized educational activities. The participating sites, in turn, benefited from attracting new visitors, especially families, and encouraged visitors to explore multiple cultural sites, boosting attendance across the network. The collective effort reinforced the message that learning opportunities are all around us, building stronger community connections.